Visiting Birmingham

The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) has been a significant driving force in the development of Birmingham into one of Europe’s most popular business and leisure tourism destinations.  Get the nitty gritty on the city...

Birmingham has enjoyed a dramatic transformation in recent years and now proudly welcomes visitors to enjoy its vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere. It has an exceptional arts scene, superb shopping, exciting nightlife, a breathtaking variety of great food and drink, and a rich cultural heritage. It really has become Europe’s meeting place.

With so many exciting venues to visit and attractions to see visitors to Ipex 2010 will get to experience exactly why the Second City is now rightly considered the first place to come for both business and pleasure.

Discover all of Birmingham’s best bits - make the most of your time at Ipex 2010 with an active social programme:

 Restaurants
With over 200 rated options, covering 27 nationalities there’s never been a better time to savour Birmingham’s diversity.

 Bars
After a productive day at Ipex, sit back and relax with your favourite tipple and enjoy in the atmosphere in one of Birmingham’s many vibrant bars.

 Attractions in Birmingham
World-class shopping, culture and sports; Birmingham’s ever-increasing list of attractions guarantee a memorable stay for all Ipex visitors and exhibitors.

Soak up the unique atmosphere at Brindleyplace, a vibrant canalside destination situated at the very heart of Birmingham’s convention quarter.

This award-winning business and leisure destination provides the best in leisure and culture for all tastes and interests with renowned restaurants, canalside bars and three stunning public squares.  Discover tree lined streets, unusual water features, clear open spaces and striking architecture.

Visitors can savour a truly international flavour, with something for everyone - stroll around, shop or sit and watch the world go by.

The Water’s Edge plays host to an array of stylish bars and restaurants providing the perfect destination for exciting nights out or relaxed meals.

For more information on the following, please click on the links below:

 Accommodation
 Getting There
 More about the NEC venue

 Theatre

Birmingham’s flagship theatre the Birmingham Hippodrome sells more seats than any other British theatre each year – including the West End!  The 2000-seat auditorium regularly welcomes the finest London musical’s and the UK’s most spectacular pantomimes.  It is also the home of the renowned Birmingham Royal Ballet who perform here regularly.

The Alexandra is one of the country’s most popular venues for touring companies.  The splendid Edwardian auditorium stages a mixture of drama, concerts, musicals and comedy.
At the top of Broad Street’s bar scene, the Birmingham Rep forges ahead with challenging productions from innovative and daring writers.

Birmingham, There’s also the charming Old Rep, the Crescent, the Drum, the Maverick and many others.

 Dance

The Birmingham Royal Ballet (formerly Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet) is Britain's premier touring ballet company. The Company leads the world in the creation of new and innovative popular ballets.

DanceXchange is a month of world class live performances from every corner of the globe. This festival of movement and rhythm in late Spring covers the full spectrum; at a wide range of venues - some cosy , some world class.  From ballet to bollywood; whether you want to watch or join in, Birmingham becomes the city that doesn't stand still.

Sampad is a dynamic development agency for South Asian Arts based in Birmingham. It plays a significant role regionally, nationally and beyond, in promoting the appreciation and practice of the diverse artforms originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - including the many forms of dance. Through its work Sampad serves, supports and initiates South Asian Arts in all its forms working with youth, community, education and professional artists.

To attract the world’s great artists, you need the right mix of venues.  We’ve got them all. Symphony Hall is widely regarded as the finest concert hall in Europe. And the Grade 1 listed Town Hall provides a majestic location after its £35m renovation. Over at the NIA and NEC Arena, an endless stream of world famous rock and pop acts come night after night. Then at the Hippodrome, the Welsh National Opera, countless West End Musicals and the world famous Birmingham Royal Ballet offer real choice. Together with many smaller venues that range from the Carling Academy to the Jam House to theatres staging all sorts of concerts or gigs, all kinds of music have a home in Birmingham.

 Galleries

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the country.  Also housed in this spectacular Victorian building are collections of silver, ceramics, sculpture and ancient and social history. The Waterhall Gallery showcases modern art whilst the Gas Hall Gallery houses temporary exhibitions. 

The Ikon gallery in Brindleyplace is one of the leading contemporary galleries in Europe.  This free gallery exhibits a constantly changing programme of exhibitions and events and is recognised for its progressiveness and individuality.

The Jewellery Quarter is a unique part of the City where you can admire craftsmen and artists at work.  You can commission a unique piece from one of the many workshops in the quarter, with the Birmingham Anchor Hallmark.

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham houses Old Masters alongside modern classics.   Its outstanding collection has major works from many great artists including Monet, Manet, and Magritte; Renoir, Rubens, Rossetti and Rodin; Degas, Delacroix and van Dyck — not to mention Botticelli, Poussin, Turner, Gainsborough, Gauguin, van Gogh, Picasso, Hodgkin… The Barber also has a regular programme of events, comncerts, exhibitions and lectures.

 Nearby

Outside London, Warwick Arts Centre is the UK's largest arts and entertainment complex.  The Royal Shakespeare Company - (one of the most acclaimed classical theatre companies in the world) has three theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon - the town where William Shakespeare was born and died. Within an hour from Birmingham city centre.

 Festivals

Throughout the year Birmingham’s calendar is filled with festivals that celebrate the arts, music and culture.  There is something for everyone including Artsfest, Hello Digital, Gay Pride, Folk and Jazz Festivals.

 Music

Birmingham is alive with the sound of music. All kinds of music. From the world famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to new bands like the Editors. The widest range of venues attracts the cream of musical talent. So there’s always real choice, whatever is kind of music is music to your ears.